Bill

HB 3324

85(R) - 2017
House Urban Affairs
House Urban Affairs
Agriculture
Health & Human Services

Vote Recommendation

No
  • Negative
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Negative
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Eddie Rodriguez

Bill Caption

Relating to the establishment of a grocery access investment fund program.

Fiscal Notes

A negative impact of ($5,000,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2019.

The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill. 

Bill Analysis

HB 3324 would establish the Texas Grocery Access Investment Fund to create a private-public partnership by which the state and donating private entities would provide financial assistance to a grocery store, mobile market, or farm stand for site acquisition, construction, employee hiring, and equipment purchasing in order to increase food access in underserved low-income and moderate-income areas. Procedures would be established for handling funds, collecting data on store performance, and assessing economic viability.

Vote Recommendation Notes

This bill infringes on the principles of limited government and the free market by establishing an investment fund through which the state will grant preferential treatment to certain grocery stores, distorting the free market and increasing state intervention. For these reasons, we oppose HB 3324.

Organizations Supporting

American Heart Association
Texans Care for Children
Texas Association of Counties
Texas Impact
Texas Low Income Housing Information Service
Texas Retailers Association

Organizations Opposed

Texas Public Policy Foundation